Pre-built brand name PC's vs Build your own

**ian** · 11-30-2003, 08:39 AM

Well my first 486 clone pre-built non brand name pc was a real shocker. So I later switched to buying brand names like IBM and HP. Well they were more reliable and in my opinion a lot better quality, although a lot of people say they use crappy components. And upgrading them, well in the case of the IBM, I found it impossible to do a simple task like add a second hard drive.
I built my latest computer with the help of my cousin. Contained mostly cheap base components, but it works very well, with the exception of one blown power supply.

zkiller · 11-30-2003, 10:07 AM

well, personally, i am not big on the first tier companys such as HP/Compaq and IBM. i find them to be completely overpriced.

the only company in my good graces at this point is dell. good service and good quality systems.

but as far as desktops and servers go, i build all of my own systems. it's usually cheaper and i know what i have and can upgrade as need without voiding any warranties. most parts when bought seperately come with a warranty as is anyways.

**ian** · 11-30-2003, 10:19 AM

Dell comes highly recommended by a few people I work with who are not really very computer literate. They say they have excellent support. I use a dell at work, but it is one of those base grade models, stupid thing didnt even come with a cd burner.

zkiller · 11-30-2003, 10:35 AM

i have learned to never jugde a computer brand by what i see at a workplace.

**[tab]** · 12-01-2003, 10:36 AM

I always have enough parts laying around that building a new computer works out way cheaper than buying a full system.

zkiller · 12-01-2003, 10:41 AM

same here. every system i built is a combination of a couple of new parts and a lot of parts that i have flying around somewhere. :p

**ian** · 12-01-2003, 10:57 AM

my latest computer has the floppy drive out of my beloved 486

zkiller · 12-01-2003, 11:10 AM

sweet!

i don't have a floppy drive in my current setup. i want to try to get all black drives for it, being that the case is black as well. i am not really into case modding or any of that stuff, but i figured since it is sitting on top of my desk at plain view i should at least make it look good. i really don't like the black/white theme it has right now.

Chroder · 12-01-2003, 05:44 PM

I've got a Dell, I guess it does the job... But I'd much rather build my own. The only reason I've got my Dell is 'cuz I got it for free (Dad's "work computer'

). Though just about every component inside has been replaced with better parts.

zkiller · 12-02-2003, 12:44 AM

hey, can't beat free stuff. that's what made my last system so great despite it crashing so often. it was FREE!

11-30-2003, 08:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
ian Administrator Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 8,024	Pre-built brand name PC's vs Build your own Well my first 486 clone pre-built non brand name pc was a real shocker. So I later switched to buying brand names like IBM and HP. Well they were more reliable and in my opinion a lot better quality, although a lot of people say they use crappy components. And upgrading them, well in the case of the IBM, I found it impossible to do a simple task like add a second hard drive. I built my latest computer with the help of my cousin. Contained mostly cheap base components, but it works very well, with the exception of one blown power supply.

12-01-2003, 10:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
zkiller VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Age: 27 Posts: 762	same here. every system i built is a combination of a couple of new parts and a lot of parts that i have flying around somewhere. :p __________________ Stefan, the Post Master May the boost be with you! [ Web Design Forum \| Track Devil ]

12-01-2003, 11:10 AM	#8 (permalink)
zkiller VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Age: 27 Posts: 762	sweet! i don't have a floppy drive in my current setup. i want to try to get all black drives for it, being that the case is black as well. i am not really into case modding or any of that stuff, but i figured since it is sitting on top of my desk at plain view i should at least make it look good. i really don't like the black/white theme it has right now. __________________ Stefan, the Post Master May the boost be with you! [ Web Design Forum \| Track Devil ]

12-02-2003, 12:44 AM	#10 (permalink)
zkiller VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Age: 27 Posts: 762	hey, can't beat free stuff. that's what made my last system so great despite it crashing so often. it was FREE! __________________ Stefan, the Post Master May the boost be with you! [ Web Design Forum \| Track Devil ]

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11-30-2003, 10:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
zkiller VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Age: 27 Posts: 762	well, personally, i am not big on the first tier companys such as HP/Compaq and IBM. i find them to be completely overpriced. the only company in my good graces at this point is dell. good service and good quality systems. but as far as desktops and servers go, i build all of my own systems. it's usually cheaper and i know what i have and can upgrade as need without voiding any warranties. most parts when bought seperately come with a warranty as is anyways.

11-30-2003, 10:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
ian Administrator Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 8,024	Dell comes highly recommended by a few people I work with who are not really very computer literate. They say they have excellent support. I use a dell at work, but it is one of those base grade models, stupid thing didnt even come with a cd burner.

11-30-2003, 10:35 AM	#4 (permalink)
zkiller VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Germany Age: 27 Posts: 762	i have learned to never jugde a computer brand by what i see at a workplace.

12-01-2003, 10:36 AM	#5 (permalink)
[tab] [...] Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 917	I always have enough parts laying around that building a new computer works out way cheaper than buying a full system.

12-01-2003, 10:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
ian Administrator Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 8,024	my latest computer has the floppy drive out of my beloved 486

12-01-2003, 05:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chroder VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario Age: 19 Posts: 1,302	I've got a Dell, I guess it does the job... But I'd much rather build my own. The only reason I've got my Dell is 'cuz I got it for free (Dad's "work computer' ). Though just about every component inside has been replaced with better parts.